lahore -
The Federal Board of Revenue’s Web Based One Custom System (WeBOC) will damage the entire structure of sales tax return and duty drawback as the sales tax returns of last month are still pending due to non-acceptance of WeBOC.
Though the stakeholders particularly industry appreciated the effort of FBR team who created WeBOC System without the help of any foreign consultant and saved $1 million, yet they complained that the software was launched despite a number of flaws including inter-post movement, acceptance of AWBs from airlines operating from Dubai and acceptance of Bills of Lading of mother vassals not operating from Pakistan.
“BOC website is slow, as it takes too much time to upload data. The process seems to be slow when the goods are sent to airport customs for clearance. In case of any simple amendment (like shed number) in custom, it takes time, which needs to be minimised. There are very limited possibilities of amendments. There should be proper room for amendments as and when needed.”
The main problem under WeBOC is that after accepting all export data, the system shows ‘No Rebate’ on items even on which duty drawback is allowed under the manual system, they said. “Option for Supplementary Rebate Claim filing is not available, they pointed out. In case, if erroneously, wrong Annexure ‘A’ or Invoice is uploaded, no option is available to take back this uploaded entry or cancel the same.
Moreover, on the request of customer if shipment is to be delayed for few days for inspection or for some other reason the reverse entry system or cancellation is impossible or at least staff is not trained for it, they added.”
Highly disturbed by the new system, the PTA Central Chairman Agha Saiddain, in his letter sent to the Collector Customs, Karachi, has pointed out the several bottlenecks in WeBOC pointed out by the PTA members across the country, saying the importers as well as the exporters are facing a lot of difficulties because of the newly-launched system. He said that FBR had implemented the WeBOC for all exports and imports at all the Customs Stations of the country from March 08, 2013. The main purpose of this system was to clear the goods using online facilities and without human contact. Highlighting problems faced by the importers, he said that due to daily rate change, the duty difference, if excess, is not debited in our PDA account.
Likewise slow process of sending messages, in many cases deliberately hanging the message of clearance. If examination is called, no one at port area conducts the examination for 4-5 days.
He added that it is quite difficult to trace/contact the person who delays processing, as there is no name shown. During examination they add the packing weight separately and charge additional duties on it.
LC shows certificate of invoice and packing list attached, but normally these are not found with the package and they take Rs 5000 as fine.
He requested the authorities concerned to irritants from the WeBOC System and ensure its smooth functioning.